Cork to get €200,000 entrepreneur fund

By Eoin English

A €200,000 fund to help Cork entrepreneurs turn their bright ideas into businesses will be announced today.

The new Enterprise Ireland-run Cork Feasibility Fund could see entrepreneurs in the region getting up to €25,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study to validate their start-up ideas.

Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, who will open the fund to applications this morning, said the ultimate aim of the package is to boost start-ups and stimulate growth and job creation in the city and county.

"Cork has a strong entrepreneurship culture," the minister said.

"This fund is aimed at helping people who have a bright idea for an international business that can grow and provide valuable jobs in the Cork region.

"I am confident that there is a wealth of creative and capable potential entrepreneurs in the county that have a business idea they’d like to put to the test.”

The application process will be competitive and its particular focus will be on supporting innovative, growth-oriented businesses with the potential to move into export markets.

Enda McDonnell, Enterprise Ireland’s Director for the South/South East Region, urged budding entrepreneurs to apply to the fund.

"If you are an entrepreneur or very early stage business with your eyes on international growth, we encourage you to review details of the scheme …it might be just what you have been looking for to test the commercial potential of your business idea," he said.

The deadline for applications is 6pm on Friday April 25.

Full details of the fund including the application form are available on the Enterprise Ireland website, www.enterprise-ireland.com/corkfund.